Large energy users like FSSI are always looking for ways to operate more efficiently and to reduce the environmental impact of everyday business operations. In 2014, the company added and expanded sustainability practices that pushed energy savings and recycling to new highs and resource consumption to new lows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur energy-efficient chilled-water cooling systems continue to be a source of significant energy savings, as are our latest light fixture replacements,\u201d says Gene Archer, FSSI\u2019s Technical Services and Facilities Manager. \u201cBut we\u2019re also very excited about the savings made possible by another recently implemented efficiency measure called Stem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stem is a compact energy management and storage appliance that attaches directly to FSSI\u2019s main power panel, independent of the UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and diesel backup generator. State-of-the-art optimization software drives the system, which uses predictive analytics to monitor and regulate energy usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy savings come when the Stem appliance automatically reduces peak loads, by predicting usage patterns and deploying stored energy when certain consumption thresholds are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur electricity rate is based on the maximum energy peak usage at any time during the year,\u201d Archer says. \u201cSo we have to continually measure our usage. For example, one fifteen-minute segment of high consumption could penalize us for the whole year. The Stem system helps reduce the peaks, which reduces our energy rate. We also put less demand on SCE, since they don\u2019t need to plan capacity for higher peaks,\u201d Archer adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FSSI founder, Jon Dietz, says the company\u2019s willingness to regularly evaluate emerging technologies like Stem and others closely maps to FSSI\u2019s enduring commitment to environmental sustainability. \u201cWe were among the first print-mail outsourcing companies to integrate environmental stewardship into regular business operations, and we\u2019re pleased that investments in Stem, a new chiller, and other improvements are resulting in greater efficiency and savings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forestry Stewardship Council \u00ae<\/sup> (FSC\u00ae<\/sup>) Certification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another of those investments in 2014 involved earning FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification. FSSI is one of only a few thousand U.S. businesses to receive the coveted designation, which now allows it to print client documents using FSC-certified paper stock. Certification required FSSI to change its paper handling processes, train personnel to follow FSC\u2019s CoC requirements and prepare for the stringent annual compliance audits. Despite the added cost and operational changes, this certification fits our sustainability value, observes FSSI president, Jennifer P.W. Dietz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFSC certification is increasingly important to clients in several industry verticals,\u201d Dietz notes. \u201cAnd since we\u2019re very much a client-focused, client-centric company, we committed to becoming FSC certified. Doing so demonstrates that we\u2019re vested in our clients\u2019 success. It also makes us an even stronger ally and resources for any organizations that is seeking environmentally responsible document production.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asset Recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides reliably managing energy use and paper stock, FSSI also recycles or responsibly disposes of waste byproducts generated from its document production and everyday business operations. These include: paper waste, wooden pallets, and old used electronics, such as batteries, monitors and other office equipment. \u201cAsset recycling is an important facet of our corporate sustainability strategy,\u201d Archer notes. \u201cEvery year, the program keeps tons of reusable waste out of the local landfills, and 2014 was no exception.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsible Print Production<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n FSSI\u2019s Canon\u2019s Oc\u00e9 ColorStream\u00ae 3900 digital color printing system is a centerpiece of its sustainable print production environment. FSSI is the only document outsourcing company of its size to own the eco-friendly digital press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The printer eliminates common concerns of offset printing by outputting to continuous-form white- paper rolls and using environmentally friendly inks. With digital inkjet printing, there are no negatives, plates, oil-based inks or harmful cleaning solvents, so the environmental impact of production is greatly reduced. Further, printing forms and data inline eliminates the waste of over-printing preprinted forms. FSSI also participates in Oc\u00e9\u2019s sustainability-oriented Eco Start program, which includes a commitment to replant trees harvested for paper production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sustainable FSSI Service Options<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Offering a wide range of environmentally friendly service options rounds out FSSI\u2019s diverse sustainability practices and gives clients other creative ways to responsibly produce their documents. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n